PART TWO: MEASURES TAKEN TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHTS PROTECTED BY THE CHARTER TITLE I: CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS 74. Priorities in the area of human rights have been strongly emphasized in the General Policy Statement of the Government. With regard to the strengthening of the rule of law and public freedoms, it should be stressed that Mali’s situation is relatively good in this regard and that the country has endorsed most of the relevant conventions. Political rights as well as the freedom of expression, press, association, conscience and religion are provided for by the Constitution and adequately respected generally. Mali has conducted a study on the status of harmonization of the national legislation with the international and regional human rights instruments it has ratified. Human and Peoples’ Rights, Responsibilities and Freedoms (Article 1) 75. The Constitution of 25 February, 1992 is the first national legal basis for human rights. This basic law has considerably expanded and strengthened Mali’s human rights framework. 25